title: Associations with retinal nerve fiber layer measures in the EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe GDxVCC retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measures and associations in a predominantly white British population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The EPIC-Norfolk Eye Study is nested within a large multicenter cohort study, the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer. RNFL measurements were taken using the GDxVCC. Generalized estimating equation models were used to assess associations of RNFL measures with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), height, blood pressure, social class, education level, alcohol intake, smoking status, axial length, intraocular pressure, and lens status. Models were linearly adjusted for typical scan score to handle scans with atypical retardation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were complete data from 11,030 eyes of 6309 participants with mean age 68 years (48-90 years). Older age (-1.53 μm/decade [95% confidence interval {CI} -1.73, -1.33], P < 0.001), male sex (-0.44 μm [95% CI -0.04, -0.84], P = 0.031), shorter axial length (-0.15 μm/mm [95% CI -0.02, -0.28], P = 0.024), and pseudophakia (-0.49 μm [95% CI -0.94, -0.04], P = 0.033) were associated with thinner RNFL after adjustment for possible confounders. Higher BMI was associated with a thinner RNFL in men only (-0.30 μm/5 kg/m(2) [95% CI -0.58, -0.02], P = 0.039).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This analysis of associations with RNFL thickness in a largely healthy population may provide insight into the determinants of glaucoma, suggesting higher risk in those who are older, in men, and in men with a higher BMI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom. anthony.khawaja@gmail.com
authors.forename: Anthony P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Khawaja
authors.forename: Michelle P Y
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Garway-Heath
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Broadway
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luben
authors.forename: Justin C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sherwin
authors.forename: Shabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hayat
authors.forename: Kay-Tee
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Khaw
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D058452:Axial Length, Eye / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D001699:Biometry; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014463:Ultrasonography; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: axial length; body mass index; epidemiology; eye; glaucoma; scanning laser polarimetry